AMHERST, Mass. - Freshman outfielder Frank Curreri (Weymouth, Mass.) went three for four with a double, two home runs and six runs batted in, to lead the University of Massachusetts baseball team to a 7-2 victory over Rhode Island at Earl Lorden Field. The Minutemen improve to 14-11 overall and take sole possession of first place in the Atlantic 10 Conference East Division with an 8-4 mark in league games. The Rams fall to 17-19 overall and 9-6 in the Atlantic 10.

UMass opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the second inning, when Curreri reached on an RBI fielder's choice, and the second run scored on an error. Rhode Island cut the lead to 2-1 with an unearned run in the top of the third, when outfielder Andy Cravenho reached on an error and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly. The Minutemen increased their lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth, when Curreri hit a two-run double down the right field line to knock in sophomore outfielder Jason Twomley (Fitchburg, Mass.) and senior outfielder Matt Boulanger (Westfield, Mass.).

UMass added another run in the bottom of the sixth, when Curreri hit a solo home run to left center field. The Rams scored one run in the top of the eighth to cut the UMass lead to 5-2, on an RBI single by first baseman Dan Batz. The Minutemen then concluded the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the eighth, when Boulanger singled and Curreri followed with a two-run homer to right center field.

Freshman righthanded pitcher Matt Torra (Pittsfield, Mass.) threw a complete game to earn the victory, improving his record to 3-3 on the season. Torra allowed only one earned run on five hits, while striking out four and walking two. Righthanded pitcher Jared Trout to the loss for Rhode Island to fall to 3-2 on the year, allowing five runs on eight hits in seven innings, while striking out nine.

Boulanger, junior second baseman Cullan Maumus (New Orleans, La.) and senior first baseman Jeff Altieri (Whitinsville, Mass.) all had two hits in the game for UMass. Ram outfielder Matt Sullivan went two for four.

UMass returns to action on Tuesday, April 22, when it faces Harvard in the semifinals of the Beanpot Baseball Classic. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Fenway Park.